So, I went shopping yesterday for some summer clothes for Isaiah. It doesn't exactly feel like summer here, but we're at least wearing short sleeves on some days. I was really looking forward to getting him a few new shirts for the upcoming months and glad to have the excuse to shop. I was really disturbed, however, by the selection of shirts I found.
I know that there is a trend these days for clothing with statements. I guess I can understand teenagers expressing "themselves" with words written on their shirts, but I think it is absolutely ridiculous for parents of young kids to buy and dress their little ones in these clothes! I can go with things like "If you think I'm cute, you should see my dad!" but most of the messages I saw yesterday were things like "100% Trouble", "Little guy, Big attitude", "Mom said no, so I asked Dad", and "I'm in charge". Not to mention the girls' side, which is plastered with things like "Born to shop", "I always get my way", "Princess of everything", etc. I understand that these are supposed to be cute or funny or clever. But now that my son understands so much and is absorbing everything I say to him, about him or around him, I can't imagine explaining to him that his shirt describes him as a loud, obnoxious, troublemaker who doesn't respect his parents or follow rules. Plus, it seems that, on those days when he is driving me crazy, it would not help the situation at all to see "This is what trouble looks like" staring back at me whenever I looked at him. On those days, I need him to wear something more like "Precious gift from God" or "Toddlerhood is only temporary" or "My mom loves me beyond words", but of course they don't make shirts like that.
Isaiah does get into trouble. He sometimes displays a crazy toddler attitude. He doesn't always follow the rules. But, as long as I am buying his clothes and dressing him and daily shaping his self-esteem, he will certainly NOT be walking around labeled "Little Monster".
3 comments:
I agree! It's so frustrating to try to buy clothes that don't make your child look like a little hellion! Hang in there, though. Is there an OshKosh there, or can you shop online and have it sent there? They usually have good quality shirts with not too much writing.
INDEED!
I have the girl side of the issue, where I don't want to be encouraging the ridiculous messages of "princess" or "born to shop." I agree with Holly; Carter's has some nice stuff sans words too. Let us know if you need some "aunties" to send him some polos. ;-)
Oh man! I am SO with you on this one! I can't stand all of those shirts with sayings on them. I have a boy and a girl so I get both sides and I don't know which is worse, making your daughter believe she is a princess and deserves everything her way or telling your boy that he is a trouble maker. But just wait till your little girl grows up (mine is now in size 6) and you find it difficult to find shorts that have more than a quarter inch inseam and shirts that make her look like a little girl and not a teenager. It's seriously depressing trying to shop for her nowadays.
Post a Comment